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Resident — Online Magazine
“Refining Luxury with Soul”
An Exclusive Interview with Mostafa Dargahi — Founder of Anar Leather
- Interviewer: Mostafa, it’s a privilege to sit with you and explore the philosophy and journey behind Anar Leather. Your story—from the historic streets of Kashan to the luxury avenues of Beverly Hills—reads like a masterclass in entrepreneurship and leadership. Could you start by telling us how this journey began?
Mostafa Dargahi: Thank you. I’m glad to share our journey. Like many entrepreneurial stories, mine started with a single idea and a lot of curiosity and faith. About a decade ago, I went to Kashan with my cousin to set up a small machine-made carpet factory. We had just one old machine and produced only a few carpets a week. It was challenging—high costs, a competitive market, and limited resources—but even in those humble beginnings, I began noticing the spark of what would become my entrepreneurial path. We experimented by adding cowhides as decorative carpet to our products. That small twist revealed the potential for differentiation, a principle that remains central to Anar Leather today.
- Interviewer: That initial experiment with leather seems almost symbolic—a precursor to the brand’s future. After the carpet venture, how did Anar Leather truly take shape?
Mostafa: The first venture eventually ended due to rising costs and market stagnation. But I never stopped. I took ownership of the “Anar” brand from my partner and decided to move forward independently. Starting in my room that wasn't like a room anymore but more like a small leather workshop, we produced decorative leather items with minimal resources. Each sale, no matter how small, fueled our persistence. Then came the pivotal moment: my younger sister, Leila, designed a leather cover for her tablet. That simple creation sparked the idea of producing leather bags, which marked the birth of the Anar Leather brand as we know it today. Slowly, with refined designs, professional production, and the family’s involvement—my sister Fateme in graphics and branding, my brother Mohammad in brand management, and my father overseeing product processes—the brand began gaining traction.
- Interviewer: So the family plays an integral role. How important is this collaborative approach to your philosophy and leadership?
Mostafa: Extremely important. At Anar Leather, leadership isn’t about hierarchy; it’s about shared vision and awareness. Every family member contributes their expertise, and all major decisions are discussed collectively. Our philosophy is that each product carries the intention, energy, and care of its creators. This alignment between leadership, creativity, and production is what differentiates us in a crowded luxury market.
- Interviewer: You emphasize intention and energy. Could you elaborate on how this translates into your products and production?
Mostafa: Absolutely, that what I always love to explain and remind. At Anar Leather, our saying is “beauty is consciousness.” That means every stage—design, material sourcing, crafting, and even packaging—must reflect not only technical mastery but also thoughtful intention and positive energy. Unlike many brands that rely on mass production or flashy advertising with models, we focus on the luxury of process. Every piece is entirely handmade—no machines intervene. Each stitch, each cut, every edge is meticulously crafted by skilled artisans. This is not just quality control; it’s a philosophical stance. True luxury, in our view, is inseparable from authenticity, attention, and human touch.
- Interviewer: The emphasis on handcraftsmanship is impressive. In an age of automation, how do you ensure this artisanal soul is preserved as the brand grows?
Mostafa: Growth at Anar Leather is deliberate and curated. We expand through selective ateliers, artisan hubs, and educational programs that teach traditional techniques while preserving creativity. Technology assists with transparency and storytelling but never replaces human hands. Scaling is not about mass production; it’s about replicable quality, meaningful craft, and emotional resonance. This is what allows us to grow without diluting our identity.
- Interviewer: Your use of sacred geometry in design is fascinating. How does this principle influence your collections?
Mostafa: Sacred geometry is our design language, rooted in centuries of cultural and natural wisdom. It informs proportion, form, and emotional impact. Every curve, line, and angle is harmonized to evoke balance, harmony, and spiritual resonance. This isn’t merely decorative—it’s a framework that guides every creation. When clients hold an Anar piece, they don’t just see luxury; they feel a connection to heritage, order, and meaning.
- Interviewer: Many luxury brands emphasize exclusivity through scarcity. How does Anar approach this?
Mostafa: Scarcity is part of it, but our exclusivity goes beyond quantity. Each product is rare because it’s handmade, locally sourced, and crafted with intention. Beyond scarcity, Anar Leather creates experiences: the provenance of materials, recognition of artisans, and rituals of care for each item. Owning an Anar bag is not just possession—it’s an intimate narrative connecting maker, material, and wearer.
- Interviewer: You’ve expanded into Turkey, Italy, and now the U.S. Why choose the American market for growth?
Mostafa: The U.S. is where trends become global standards. Luxury consumers in America value both heritage and reinvention. Traveling across nearly every state, I observed a diversity—from understated connoisseurs to high-profile tastemakers in Beverly Hills and New York’s SoHo. To redefine global luxury, understanding the American market is essential. Moreover, I firmly believe luxury should not be monopolized by a few European countries. America has immense cultural and creative potential, and Anar Leather is positioned to contribute to a new vision of global fashion.
- Interviewer: Your brand has gone viral without advertising. How did this happen?
Mostafa: Organic growth comes from authenticity and resonance. People share Anar Leather because they are genuinely moved by it—not because of marketing budgets. Influencers, clients, and design enthusiasts are spreading our story voluntarily. This kind of word-of-mouth appeal is priceless. It’s not about being seen; it’s about being experienced. One handcrafted masterpiece at a time, we cultivate community, emotion, and meaning.
- Interviewer: The pricing of Anar Leather products rivals top luxury houses. How do you justify this?
Mostafa: Our pricing reflects not just time and materials, but cultural capital, craftsmanship, and ethical sourcing. A bag tells a story, bears the artisan’s signature, is made from rare, ethical materials, and carries rituals of care. That combination is far more than a monetary value—it’s an expression of taste, conscience, and connection. We offer entry-level luxury and ultra-rare bespoke creations for collectors seeking unique narratives and experiences.
- Interviewer: Many might assume that growing a brand requires compromise. How do you respond to skeptics who say redefining luxury is impossible?
Mostafa: I don’t believe in “impossible.” Redefining luxury is about creating depth, ethics, and narrative, not shortcuts. Authenticity and growth can coexist if embedded in a replicable system of craft, storytelling, and trust. Anar Leather is proof that beauty, tradition, and integrity can coexist with scale, without losing soul.
- Interviewer: Five years from now, what does success look like for Anar Leather?
Mostafa: Success is recognition in key luxury capitals—Paris, Milan, New York, Tokyo, Los Angeles—while sustaining artisan communities in Iran and Turkey. It’s a loyal clientele who value story as much as aesthetics, owning pieces that rival classics—not for price or logo, but for provenance, craftsmanship, and soul. Success is a living, global testimony that true luxury thrives on intention, not imitation.
- Interviewer: Finally, what would you like the world to understand about Anar Leather that sets it apart from other luxury brands?
Mostafa: Anar Leather is not about following trends, nor about flashy logos or mass production. It’s a family-led, artisan-first brand where every product is handmade with love, consciousness, and positive energy. From the selection of the leather to the final stitch, each piece carries philosophy and heritage. We refine what luxury means: it’s not just owning something expensive—it’s experiencing beauty as consciousness, feeling the intention behind every creation, and connecting with a tradition that elevates both maker and wearer. That is the heart of Anar Leather.